I am writing this on July 1, three days before the most important national holiday in the United States. Hence, choosing a topic was a no-brainer. Neither was using the following quote from the late humorist and author Erma Bombeck.

“You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.” (Thanks, Erma, for I could not have said it better.)

Americans’ hearts beat red, white, and blue, and when we honor our nation’s birthday, we party hearty. From dawn to dusk, no matter the weather, we will eat, march in parades, sing patriotic songs, wave Old Glory, detonate fireworks, and celebrate our freedom—ad infinitum. Good thing the Fourth is on a Friday this year as many will need the weekend to recover—mostly from overeating.

The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council estimates that 150 million hot dogs will be devoured by Americans on the Fourth, equating to one dog for every two people. Now that’s a lot of bow-wow! Tons of baked beans will also be consumed (which just might temporarily alleviate the gas crisis) as will burgers, corn on the cob, coleslaw, and potato salad.

Like the Energizer Bunny who keeps going and going, America’s population keeps growing and growing. In July 1776, there were approximately 2.5 million people living in our newly independent nation. The current estimated population of the United States is 304 million. That’s heaps of people hooting, hollering, and thumping their chests with pride.

Forgive us if we make too much noise, especially after dark when the fireworks begin. Major cities host firework shows and most suburbs follow suit. Around Chicago, if you are outside in the evening and look up, you will see fireworks. Guaranteed. While we manufacture fireworks and sell them here and abroad, last year we imported 217 million dollars’ worth. Talk about the Big Bang . . .

The Declaration of Independence signed on July 4, 1776 states, in part, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

For this and so much more, I celebrate and give thanks.

~Chicago Mary